In school, I could easily spot literary techniques—similes, metaphors, alliteration. But when my teachers played a film and asked, “What film techniques did the director just use?” I would avoid eye contact because I never had a clue and had not paid attention.

If that sounds like you, don’t stress. Many students aren’t used to analysing films. We get so immersed in the story, sounds, and visuals that we forget every element on the screen is intentional.

I’m Kristen, and I scored high Band 6s in HSC English Advanced and HSC English Extension, so trust me when I say I’ve found my way around analysing films. I hadn’t always loved studying films, but with time, it’s become one of my favourites!

This guide will cover common film techniques along with examples, how to integrate analysis into essays, and useful resources to help you nail your writing.

A List of Common Film Techniques:

Angles

Camera angles refer to how the camera is positioned to depict a subject.

Directors use different camera angles to convey different messages about the subject. Below is a list of the most common ones to look out for:

1. Low-angle shot: the camera is positioned below the subject and pointed upwards.

Low-angle shots are usually used to make the subject seem bigger, and therefore, more superior and daunting.

In the film The Dark Knight (2008), Christopher Nolan uses a low-angle shot to depict Batman’s power and authority.

2. Eye-level / mid-shot: the camera is at the same level as the subject.

Eye-level shots are used to show the body language and facial expressions of characters, highlighting their emotions and state of being.

In the film, The Great Gatsby (2013), Baz Luhrmann uses an eye-level shot to show Jay Gatsby smiling and holding up his glass, which suggests he feels celebratory and is enjoying himself.

3. High-angle shot: the camera is positioned above the subject and points downwards.

High-angle shots are used to make the subject seem smaller, and therefore, inferior and lacking in power.

In the film, The Avengers (2012), Joss Whedon uses a high-angle shot to make the characters seem vulnerable, suggesting that they are facing a daunting challenge.

4. Over-the-shoulder shot: the camera is positioned over someone’s shoulder but focused on another subject.

Over-the shoulder shots are used usually when two characters are conversing. It establishes a sense of intimacy between the two characters and gives us a point-of-view from one character.

In the film, Titanic (1997), James Cameron uses an over-the-shoulder shot to invite audiences to see Jack Dawson, through the perspective of Rose, highlighting his facial expressions of longing for her.

5. Birds eye-shot: the camera is placed directly above the subject, pointing downwards.

These shots are not used often, but are usually used to make the subject smaller and abstract.

Brian de Palma uses a birds-eye shot in his film, Mission Impossible (1996) to convey how Tom Cruise is relatively small compared to his surroundings, indicating his imposition into the space and the daunting challenge ahead.

6. Canted / oblique-angle / Dutch angle shot: the camera is tilted.

Canted shots are used to give the effect that characters are leaning or falling to the side, creating a feeling of unease, as things are not upright and normal.

In the film Inception (2010), Christopher Nolan uses an oblique-angle shot to disorient audiences as they feel they are falling with the characters in the turning hallways.

Colour

Colour, especially colour palettes or schemes, are used to convey the mood of a film.

Colours express different emotions. For example, red represents anger or love, and blue represents sadness and calm. Darker colours are used to create a sense of foreboding, and fear, whereas lighter colours are used to convey happiness and brightness.

Example: Alejandro G. Inarritu’s film, The Revenant (2015) uses a range of blues to convey the coldness of the environment, as well as the isolation and sadness of Leonardo di Caprio as he journeys through the snow alone.

Costuming

Costuming refers to how the characters are presented, through what they are wearing, their makeup, hairstyling and accessories. It is used to reveal the personality of a character.

For example, if someone wears designer clothing, it is more likely than not that they are affluent. In comparison, if someone wears rags and has dirt smeared on them, it is more likely that they are financially struggling.

Example: The costuming throughout the film Mean Girls (2004), directed by Mark Waters, is highly intentional, where the director separates this group of girls (the Plastics) from the rest of their students as an exclusive clique as they dress expensively. However, within the group, Cady (girl on the left) is distinct and isolated from the others as she wears an oversized pink shirt and jeans, compared to the rest of the girls, who wear skirts and fitting tops.

Lighting

Lighting refers to how dark or light a scene is and is used to represent the mood of the film.

Low key lighting is when there is limited lighting on the subject, and the scene is mostly dark.
High key lighting is when there is an abundance of lighting on the subject, and the scene is bright.

Example: In the film Joker (2019), Todd Phillips uses low key lighting to create a dark and ominous mood, as the audience is unsure what the Joker is scheming.

Example: In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part 2 (2011), David Yates uses high-key lighting to create an atmosphere of hope as Dumbledore visits Harry amidst the battle.

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene refers to how everything in the shot is positioned. It highlights the setting of a scene and what it can reveal about a character.

The mise-en-scene of this shot from the film Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), directed by Wes Anderson, highlights the clutter and bright colours of the boxes in the room. This creates an atmosphere of chaos that surrounds the two characters.

Shot type

Shots refer to how close the camera is to the subject.

Different shots are used to reveal different things of importance in the frame.

1. Extreme close up: the camera is extremely close to a subject.

These shots are used to show extreme detail of the subject, or the facial expressions of characters.

This shot from the film Oppenheimer (2023), directed by Christopher Nolan, reveals Oppeneimer’s facial expression of shock and confusion.

2. Close up shot: the camera is close to the subject.

Similar to the extreme close up shot, this shot is used to show details of the subject. The close-up shot from Jordan Peele’s film Get Out (2017) highlights the character’s facial expression of shock and fear.

3. Medium / mid shot: the camera shows the subject from the waist or knees up.

A mid shot is used to the character with reference to their surroundings. It still shows the details of their body language and facial expression, as well as the environment they are in.

Patty Jenkins’ film Wonder Woman (2017) uses a mid shot to reveal Wonder Woman’s facial expressions of determination as she stands in the battlefield.

4. Long shot: the camera is further away from the subject, and shows more of the environment surrounding a character.

A long shot is used to show the entire body language of the character with relevance to the environment they are in.

In the film, The Martian (2015), directed by Ridley Scott, a long shot is used to show how the character is small compared to the vastness of his surroundings on Mars, highlighting his loneliness and isolation.

5. Tracking shot: the camera follows subjects as they move.

Tracking shots are used to show the journey of a subject and how it moves through its environment.

The film Fast & Furious 7 (2015), directed by James Wan, uses several tracking shots to highlight the speed at which the cars travel, creating a sense of thrill and excitement for audiences.

6. Panning shot: the camera moves from one direction to another, usually left to right.

A panning shot is used to show how a subject moves. Unlike tracking shots, a panning shot does not actually follow the subject but shows how they travel across the scene.

In the film, The Passenger (1975), directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, a panning shot is used to show the vastness of the desert, highlighting the severity of the situation. See the panning shot at 1:20: https://youtu.be/raPAFtZOXsg

Montage

A montage is a series of short scenes to create one long sequence. They often are coupled with one piece of music to convey particular mood and show how time passes.

Example: This montage from the film Up (2009), directed by Pete Docter, shows short scenes of how the main character Carl Fredricksen grows up, falls in love, and eventually, loses his wife. There is no dialogue and a single song is used over these scenes. The montage shows the different stages of life and allows the audience to feel a rang of emotions from joy to grief.

Sound

Sound (or lack thereof) is a crucial part of film to contribute to the mood of the film.

1. Deigetic Sound

Diegetic sound refers to noises heard by characters in the film. For example, if the characters are cheering or playing music, this will be heard by them and the audiences.

The diegetic sounds of the chaotic drums in Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash (2014) contributes to the tense atmosphere. See the Youtube link: https://youtu.be/ZZY-Ytrw2co?si=JYmj9MQ70bHcpmoo

2. Non-Diegetic Sound

Non-diegetic (or extra-diegetic) sound only heard by the audience (i.e. background music). This is used to create a certain mood. For example, if a minor melody is placed by a dramatic orchestra over battling scene, the audience might feel fear and apprehension.

Christopher Nolan’s film Oppenheimer (2023) uses non-diegetic orchestral music to build tension and stress. See Youtube link: https://youtu.be/tK0IDmSYYGk?si=Vi4XW_81BuM2vfrg

3. Dialogue

Dialogue: refers to what the characters are saying. It usually reveals how a character is feeling, what their intentions are and to progress the plotline of the film.

Gus Van Sant’s dialogue in the film Good Will Hunting (1997) uses a simple conversation as an avenue for an in-depth character exploration. See Youtube link for the monologue: https://youtu.be/jqeagzT01Gk?si=jfb_FqXyFx9lKroL

4. Voiceovers

Voiceovers are when a narrator speaks on top of a scene. They are usually by narrators, to explain a greater context to the audience so they can understand what is happening.

In Amy Heckerling’s Clueless (1995) the opening scene uses voiceover to establish the main character, Cher, as spoiled and ‘clueless’. See Youtube link: https://youtu.be/-UOcp9ydcM0?si=os5Rv4kZRXxyHXMV

How to Successfully Integrate Film Techniques Into Essays

Now that you have an idea of the common film techniques used in essays, it’s important to understand how to incorporate them into your writing.

Often, students tend to list as many film techniques as possible in a scene in attempt to show their markers that they know a lot about film. This is NOT how to write your essay!

Film techniques are used to support your point. Therefore, they must be relevant and purposeful, and most importantly, used to answer the question of the essay! Let’s break it down:

1. What is your point? In response to the essay question, what is your answer? Make your argument with concise and clear points.

2. Provide evidence for your point. Now that you have a point, is it actually true? There must be evidence to support your argument. Choose a scene that best represents your point.

3. Analyse the scene. Now analyse the film techniques in your chosen scene. Choose ones that contribute to your argument, and techniques that reveal the director’s intentions.

Let’s walk through an example:

Jane Campion’s film Bright Star (2009) [HSC English Advanced Module A film].

My argument: Jane Campion’s film explores the significance of female artistry through Fanny Browne (a female character) who is a creative agent.
My evidence: this is seen in the montage of Keats (a male character) reciting his poem outside and the sustained motif of Fanny sewing inside.
My analysis: the positioning of Fanny and Keats in their respective creative spaces reveals how both artists peacefully exist in parallel without the need to silence the other. Thus, Campion encourages audiences to consider the beauty of domestic creativity by empowering Fanny’s perspective.

Resources for Improving Your Skills

The skill of integrating film techniques and analysis into your essays doesn’t just magically appear overnight! It takes lots and lots of practice!

Sydney Scholars Tutoring provides a wide range of resources to help improve your essay writing skills so that by the time the HSC comes around, you’ll have all the writing skills you need to ace your exams.

Some examples of support they provide:

One-on-one tutoring
Group tutoring
Online tutoring
Guides and extra resources
Masterclasses
Sample essays
Essay feedback and reviews

Sydney Scholars tutors are highly qualified and well-equipped to help students understand how to tackle their HSC English exams. We all understand the stress of exams and how complex English can be, so we aim to break down what may seem like a difficult and daunting task, into simpler concepts that students can understand.

Most importantly, we want you to enjoy learning, and we foster a learning space where students are keen and excited to take on their HSC English tasks.

Conclusion

Once you realise the intentionality behind filmmaking, you’re more likely to appreciate the messages the director is trying to convey, and the film experience in general!

Hopefully this guide was helpful in breaking down some of the techniques you might spot, and how to integrate those successfully into an essay for HSC English.

Until next time!

Everything You Need To Know To Analyse Films in HSC English: A Guide